Improved extension-table



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Letters Patent No. 94,447, dated August 31, 1869.

' mobv IMPROVE!) EXTENSION-TABLE.

4lllzie Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and' making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH SHERMAN, of Burlington, in the'countyof Burlin'gton,State of New J ersey, have invented an Improved Extension-Table; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, 'and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to an extensio11-table, consisting of a frame, the ends of which can be adjusted toward or from each other, and of a top, to which, and tocach other, are hinged the extension-leaves of' the table, all as fully described hereafter.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to make and apply my invention, I will now proceed to describe the m ode of constructing and using the same, reference being 'had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of thisl specification, and in which- VFigures 1, 2, and 3, are perspective views of the three main portions of my improved extension-table, detached from each other;

Figure 4, a longitudinal section of the table with the parts connected together;

Figures 5 and 6, sectional views of one end of the table drawn to an enlarged scale;

(Illigure 7, a detached perspective View, also enlarged; an

Figure 8, a modification of my invention.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the l several views.

The frame ofthe table is made up of the two main portions, A and A', represented in tigs. 1 and 2, each of these portions consisting of the legs a a a, cross-pieces b and b', side-pieces c c and c c', and extensions or tongues d 1,for the portion A, adapted to and arranged to slide in grooved arms f f of the portion A.

i To the cross-piece b of each ot the portions A and A of .the table, is hinged a semicircular leaf, g, supported by a folding arm, h, in the usual manner, (see lig. 2,).end to the same cross-piece is hinged a narrower leaf, t', the inner edge of which is flush with the ends of the side-pieces c c, and is arranged to be fastened to the same by hooksj, fig. 7

Fig. 3 represents another main portion of the table,

consisting of the top Band of the extension-leaves k k k, Src., which are hinged to each other, and to the top, in the manner clearly shown in the drawing, this constituting the most important feature of my invention, and the point in which it differs most from other extension-tables, the leaves of which are all separate and detachable from each other.

' The top, B, when the several portions of the table are fitted together, is supported partly by the arms d and f ot' the frame, and partly by a leg, l, which projects downward from the centre ol' the said top, and

the leaves k, when the table is extended to its full length, rest upon the said arms d and f, and upon the vated, if desired.

side-pieces c of `the frame, (being guided laterally by" tongues m of the latter, which enter grooves formed on the under side of the said extension-leaves.)

When the table is to be shortened, the semicircular leaves g must irst be lowered, in order to allow the leaves, tto be raised, the latter-being unhooked and elevated to about the position shown in iig. 5.

The two portions A'and A of' 'the frame, are then moved toward each other, and the outer extensionleaves k guided by the rounded ends p of the sidepieces c', and by the legs a, are permitted to fall, as represented in iig. 5, this being continued unt-il the table has been shortened to therequired extent, when the leaves t are depressed and hooked to the sidepieces, after which the rounded leaves t may beele- (Sec figs. 4 and 6.)

It will be observed, on referring to figs. 5 and 6, that in passing over the rounded surfaces p, one of the ex tension-leaves, 7c', must be at an angle of about fortyve degrees, when the adjoining horizontal leaf is in such a position as to permit the full descent of the leaf t', and thev latter is 4notched at x, so that it may fit over the projecting edge of the leaf It', and thus prevent its further movement, and theconsequent extension or diminishing of the length of the table.

This notching of the leaf' fi', to enable the same to fit .against and between the extension-leaves, also braces the table in the direction of its length, and renders it perfectly iirm.

When the table is extended to its full length, the ends of the leaves 'i rest against the outermost extension-leaves k, and the lengt-h of the table maybe diminished to such an extent that the extension-leaves ateach end of the table shall hang vertically down- Ward, almost touching the iloor, while the leaves t' shall be in direct contact with the opposite edgesof the top B. l

The leaves g being hinged, the table, whether extended or contracted, may be made round-ended or square, according as these leaves are. raised or low ered.

One of the greatest objections to the separate extension-leaves of ordinary extension-tables, besides their inconvenience, is their liability to warp, this being effectually prevented in my improved table,`without adding materially to the expense, by employing continuous strap hinges for connecting the leaves together.

The modification of my invention,--ig. 8, represents a plan by which the table may be made considerably tirmer, and' the central leg l, if desired, be dispensed with. This consists in securing to the under side of each of the extension-leaves, and close to its opposite ends, a block, r, which has a tongue, s, adapted to a groove, s', formed on the side-pieces of the frame.

3. The rounded surfaces p of the frame of the ta- Y ble, arranged, with respect to the extension-leaves k, substantially as specied. n

4. The leavesfi i, with their notches x, arranged with respect to the extension-leaves and to the guiding-surfaces p, substantially as herein set forth.

In testimony whereof, l have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH SHERMAN.

Witnesses:

JOHN WHITE, HARRY SMITH. 

